Lana Oconnell
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was introduced in 2012 by the Obama administration to protect undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children. DACA recipients are granted a two-year renewable work permit and protection from deportation. However, DACA does not provide a path to citizenship or eligibility for federal welfare or student aid. While DACA has faced numerous legal challenges, with courts finding parts of the program unlawful, it continues to be a crucial program for hundreds of thousands of undocumented students enrolled in higher education. These students face unique challenges, including travel restrictions and the psychological effects of an uncertain legal status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an American immigration policy that protects certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their 16th birthday. |
| Benefits | DACA provides beneficiaries with a two-year renewable work permit, protection from deportation, and access to higher education. |
| Limitations | DACA does not provide a path to citizenship. It also does not guarantee licensure for certain professions, such as osteopathic medicine, and DACA students are not eligible for financial aid. |
| Eligibility | To be eligible for DACA, individuals must have entered the U.S. as children and meet other restrictive criteria. Less than half of undocumented students in higher education are eligible for or benefit from DACA. |
| State Policies | Some states actively block access to in-state tuition and state financial aid for undocumented students, including DACA recipients. Some states bar enrollment in public institutions for undocumented students but allow DACA recipients to enroll. |
| International Students | Whether DACA recipients are considered international or domestic students depends on state laws and institutional policies. DACA recipients do not need a separate visa to study but may be subject to international student quotas for PhD programs. |
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What You'll Learn
- DACA recipients are not considered international students in some states
- DACA students are not eligible for financial aid but may be eligible for private loans
- International students are required to be fluent in English at CHSU
- DACA recipients may need to compete for international quotas
- DACA recipients do not need a visa to study
DACA recipients are not considered international students in some states
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a US immigration policy that provides certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children with a two-year renewable work permit and deportation exemption. DACA recipients are not considered international students in some states. Whether a DACA recipient is considered a domestic or international student depends on the state's laws and the policies of the institution they are applying to.
Some states and institutions classify DACA recipients as international students, while others consider them state residents. For example, in Texas, a DACA recipient was counted as an international student at a public university and had to pay $20,000 per semester in tuition fees until they submitted proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition rates. On the other hand, some institutions, such as California Health Sciences University (CHSU), welcome applicants with DACA status to apply to specific programs, although they cannot guarantee licensure by state licensing boards.
The classification of DACA recipients as international or domestic students has significant implications for their tuition fees and financial aid opportunities. While DACA recipients are not eligible for federal financial aid, some states offer in-state tuition rates and financial aid to DACA recipients. However, other states actively block access to in-state tuition and financial aid for undocumented students, including DACA recipients.
The varying state policies and institutional practices towards DACA recipients highlight the complex and inconsistent landscape of higher education access for undocumented students in the United States. While DACA provides temporary protection and work authorization, it does not confer legal status equivalent to that of US citizens or permanent residents. As a result, DACA recipients may face challenges in enrolling in certain institutions and accessing financial resources to support their education.
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DACA students are not eligible for financial aid but may be eligible for private loans
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their sixteenth birthday and who meet other restrictive criteria to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation.
DACA students are not eligible for federal student aid. In addition, many states do not allow DACA students to claim in-state tuition, and scholarships specific to DACA students may be harder to come by. However, DACA students may be eligible for private alternative loans. For example, Ascent offers scholarships and student loans for undergraduate and graduate DACA students. Ascent loans do not require a cosigner and can be applied for online. Similarly, MPOWER Financing provides no-cosigner student loans for DACA recipients to study in any of 300+ schools in the USA. TheDream.US also offers a private loan program for DACA or TPS status graduate students, with no cosigner or minimum credit score requirements.
While DACA students may be eligible for private loans, it is important to note that there are some challenges and limitations. For example, the process of applying for scholarships and gaining employment can be difficult. Additionally, there may be legal challenges and uncertainties surrounding the DACA program, which may affect the availability of private loans for DACA students in the future.
It is also worth noting that the eligibility criteria for DACA students to obtain private loans may vary depending on the lender and the state in which the student resides. Some lenders may require documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to verify DACA status. Additionally, international DACA students may face additional requirements, such as submitting an official evaluation of their coursework and degrees from organizations like the World Education Services (WES) or the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).
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International students are required to be fluent in English at CHSU
International students applying to the California Health Sciences University (CHSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) must meet certain English language requirements. CHSU does not offer English language services to international students, and fluency in English is required of all students. All instruction at CHSU is in English.
International applicants from countries where English is not the primary language spoken must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). These scores may be submitted through AACOMAS. Additionally, international applicants must provide official copies of their academic records, which must be translated into English if they are received in a foreign language.
CHSU welcomes applicants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status to apply to its Osteopathic Medicine program. However, it is important to note that CHSU does not sponsor visas for international applicants and cannot guarantee licensure of DACA students by state licensing boards. International applicants are encouraged to communicate with the Osteopathic Medical Board of California or the relevant state board to determine their eligibility for a license.
The CHSU-COM admissions process is rolling, and applications are reviewed at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and submit all required materials, including MCAT scores, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation, by the specified deadlines. The CHSU-COM Dean makes the final admissions decision, and accepted students must complete additional steps, such as a criminal background check, drug screening, and health insurance enrollment.
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DACA recipients may need to compete for international quotas
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country before their sixteenth birthday and meet other restrictive criteria to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation. DACA recipients are not eligible for financial aid but may be eligible for private alternative loans.
DACA recipients are not considered international students, but they may need to compete for international quotas, depending on the state and the school's policies. For example, in Texas, some schools count DACA recipients as international students. Additionally, many PhD programs in the US are funded positions, and while labs often have grants that don't restrict eligibility to citizens or permanent residents, they usually have more funds and positions available for citizens and permanent residents. As a result, DACA recipients may need to compete for the small number of spots available under the international quota.
The eligibility criteria for DACA include demonstrating that the applicant arrived in the US before their sixteenth birthday, has continuously resided in the US since submitting their most recent DACA request, has not departed the US on or after August 15, 2012, without advance parole, and has not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors. They must also not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
DACA recipients who wish to travel outside the United States are strongly encouraged to obtain an advance parole document before departure to reduce the risk of being unable to return and resume their DACA status. Obtaining advance parole does not guarantee re-entry, but it significantly improves the chances.
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DACA recipients do not need a visa to study
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a United States immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for an employment authorization document (work permit). DACA recipients are considered to be lawfully present in the United States and are authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remain in the country for the duration of their deferred action period.
DACA does not provide a path to citizenship or permanent legal status, and it can be revoked by the federal government at any time. While DACA recipients are not considered international students, they may face challenges when it comes to enrolling in higher education due to their immigration status. Some states actively block access to in-state tuition or state financial aid for undocumented students, including DACA recipients, or prohibit them from enrolling in public colleges.
However, there are also policies in place that provide statewide access to in-state tuition and state financial aid or scholarships for DACA recipients. Additionally, some institutions, such as California Health Sciences University (CHSU), welcome applicants with DACA status and encourage them to communicate with the relevant licensing boards to determine their eligibility for licensure after completing their program.
It's important to note that DACA recipients who wish to travel outside the United States must obtain advance parole to reduce the risk of being unable to re-enter the country and resume their DACA status. While DACA recipients do not need a visa to remain in the United States and can apply for work permits, they are not exempt from federal laws prohibiting certain activities, such as possessing or transporting firearms or ammunition.
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Frequently asked questions
DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It is a program that protects certain undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, providing them with a two-year renewable work permit and protection from deportation.
To be eligible for DACA, applicants must meet the following requirements: they must have unlawful presence in the United States after entering the country before their 16th birthday; have lived continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007; be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; and be physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making their request.
DACA provides eligible individuals with a renewable two-year work permit and protection from deportation. It also gives them access to financial aid and internships, and the ability to study abroad.
DACA recipients with Advanced Parole can travel outside the United States for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes. They must apply for an advance parole document by filing Form I-131 and paying the applicable fee.
DACA status has been associated with improved mental health outcomes due to the relief of having temporary protection from deportation. However, the uncertainty of the program's future can also cause stress and anxiety for DACA recipients, with 70.9% worrying about its future.
